* What it is: A
deer-resistant, shade perennial with glossy evergreen leaves and rosy-pink
flowers that can emerge as early as late winter, continuing into early spring.

* Size: 18 inches
tall, 2-foot spread

* Where to use: Cluster
in any shady or partly-shaded bed. Excellent as groundcover under trees.

* Care: Keep damp
the first season, then water usually not needed. Scatter balanced organic
granular fertilizer over the bed in early spring. Snip off flower stems after
bloom. Also snip off any leaves that have browned, usually at end of winter.
Let green leaves stand.

* Great partner: Any
big shade tree. Lenten rose tolerates shade and roots, and it makes a
low-maintenance flowering carpet. Pennsylvania sedge or liriope make good
grassy-textured partners.